Lead Inclusion and SEND Advisor - Secondary

Bath and North East Somerset Council; Keynsham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath and North East Somerset Council is seeking an experienced SEND advisor to join the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service. You will provide expert guidance to education settings and health and social care colleagues, identifying SEND early and promoting inclusive practice across settings.

The role requires strong knowledge of SEND legislation, the ability to work independently, and the skill to deliver training and signpost to relevant resources.

Qualifications

• A degree level qualification in a relevant BA (Hons) degree in a related education discipline/QTS
• Professional experience of working with children and young people who have SEND or who are vulnerable in an education setting
• Significant experience working in an secondary/post 16 education setting
• In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and procedures
• Impactful leadership skills
• Confidence in delivering presentation and training
• Strong IT skills, including experience of using databases and word-processing software
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
• Ability to provide support and coach others in the relevant specialist discipline.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently
• Desirable: SENDCo qualification/experience

Responsibilities

• Provide expert SEND advice and recommendations to education professionals.
• Offer first-line support to education settings and professionals.
• Signpost to services and resources across the sector.
• Strengthen inclusive practice and apply graduated approach APDR.
• Deliver consultative support at individual, cohort and whole-setting levels.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Coaching

Independent work

IT skills

Training delivery

Education

BA (Hons) degree / QTS

SENDCo qualification/experience

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

About the Team

We are looking for an experienced professional with extensive knowledge and experience of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). If you share our passion for helping children and young people with SEND to achieve their full social and academic potential, this could be the perfect role for you. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service, which provides a coordinated approach to delivering support for inclusion and SEND across Bath & North East Somerset.

About the Role

The advice service offers first-line support for B&NES’ education settings, and professionals working with children and young people, from early years to further education, as part of the SEND System of Support. This role will support settings to identify SEND at the earliest possible opportunity, whilst helping settings to strengthen their culture of inclusion. We are looking for someone who can provide expert advice and recommendations to professionals to ensure timely and effective support for children and young people. We use a consultative model of working, which includes individual child, cohort and whole-setting support. This role requires an individual who can strengthen inclusive practice within education settings for children and young people with SEND, including those at risk of placement breakdown.

This role would suit a SENDCo, Inclusion Lead or teacher with extensive SEND knowledge and experience (mainstream and/or specialist provision), seeking an opportunity to influence SEND provision and inclusive practice across a Local Authority.

About You

You will be adept in making decisions and working independently. You will have a sound understanding of SEND legislation, procedures and practice. You will need to communicate confidently with colleagues from education, health and social care backgrounds, in order to signpost to the services and resources that are available to them across the sector. You will support education practitioners to identify potentially unmet needs and develop effective inclusive practice through the consistent delivery of ordinarily available provision, implementation of the graduated approach (APDR), and advice relating to the B&NES’ Inclusion and SEND Commitment.

As well as being passionate about improving the life chances of all children and young people including those who may have SEND or require alternative provision, you will also have:

• A degree level qualification in a relevant BA (Hons) degree in a related education discipline/QTS
• Professional experience of working with children and young people who have SEND or who are vulnerable in an education setting
• Significant experience working in an secondary/post 16 education setting
• In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and procedures
• Impactful leadership skills
• Confidence in delivering presentation and training
• Strong IT skills, including experience of using databases and word-processing software
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
• Ability to provide support and coach others in the relevant specialist discipline.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently
• Desirable: SENDCo qualification/experience

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Catherine Brown, Operational Lead, Inclusion and SEND Advice Service, [e-mail] or call [phone].

Interview date: 14/12/2026

No Agencies Please.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.